Carlton Cole joins Essien in Indonesia’s Persib

Former West Ham and Chelsea striker Carlton Cole (R) and Persib manager Umuh Muhtar hold up Cole's jersey during a press conference in Bandung, Indonesia on March 30, 2017 (AFP Photo/Timur MATAHARI)

Former West Ham United and Chelsea striker Carlton Cole has signed for Indonesia’s Persib Bandung, the club announced Thursday.

Cole joined Persib just two weeks after his former Chelsea teammate and ex-AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder Michael Essien signed for the club – the highest-profile player to make the move to Indonesia for years.

Cole signed a one-year contract for an undisclosed sum with Persib, owned by Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir who is also president of Italian giants Inter Milan.

Persib finished fifth in last year’s Indonesian Soccer Championship.

“We will take the team to the next level. And I’ll try to give my best,” the Englishman said at a press conference.

Cole, 33, who ended a brief stint with Sacramento Republic in the US last year, said Essien’s decision had helped pave the way for his move.